Esophageal dysmotility and the sudden infant death syndrome: clinical experience.
Symptoms equated with "threatened" or "near-miss" sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were noted during feedings in 4 infants. In each case, barium esophagrams revealed dysmotility. Acute "near-miss" symptoms required cardiopulmonary resuscitation during esophagography in 2 infants. The authors suggest that esophageal dysmotility is a cause of "near-miss" SIDS and most likely is responsible for more fatalities than commonly realized. The cause-and-effect relationship is explained by a vagovagal reaction. Etiologies of esophageal dysmotility and possible prophylactic measures are discussed.
D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012018:Reflex; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology